When to Call the Pediatrician: Signs of a Sick Child

In general, children tend to get sick more often than adults, so if you're a parent, you know it's a situation that you will eventually encounter, or probably already have. So it's important to have experts you can turn to if you ever need to schedule a sick child visit, such as your Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA, team of pediatricians from Sacramento Valley Pediatric Medical Group and Pediatric Medical Center of Sacramento.

When To Call

Sick visits are usually suggested for non-emergency situations but they still require professional diagnosis and care. These are different from well visits, the goal of which is to perform preventive care and regular assessments.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common reasons children are taken in for a sick visit include symptoms such as high fever, complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, widespread or painful rash, trouble swallowing, an injury or fall, or any problem that lasts more than three days.

What To Expect

The goal during a sick visit is to diagnose the cause of your child's symptoms and to develop a treatment plan. You and your child will be asked about the symptoms and when they began, and also about any at-home treatments you may have already tried.

Based on this information, the pediatrician will then perform a physical examination and may send for lab tests if needed.

Depending on the initial assessment your doctor may suggest further treatment, especially if they suspect an emergency. But for most sick visits your child is usually prescribed medication and instructions about how to follow up at home. You'll also be told what to look for in case of complications and what to do if these arise.

Sick Child Visit in Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA

If you need to schedule a sick child visit in or around the areas of Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA, with your local experts at Sacramento Valley Pediatric Medical Group and Pediatric Medical Center of Sacramento you can dial (916) 681-1130 to reach the Sacramento, CA, office and (916) 714-9777 for Elk Grove, CA.